Best sushi in LA. Incredible combinations of food. Not like normal sushi. I have eaten at Massa in NYC (twice) and this is the only sushi place I have been to that compares. Outstanding food. Ok service. Ok room. Well worth the trip to Studio City! read more

Ate at Asanebo last night and had a fantastic meal! We sat at the bar and asked the sushi chef to give us the best choices for what was in season and we were not disappointed. Some very unique options including some smoked sweet fish, mackerel and conch that were very good. Also some wonderful marinated cherry tomatoes paired with blue fin tuna that was excellent. Of course everything tastes better with sake and the Asanebo brand was excellent. One of the best (and filling sushi meals) I've had but those that eat to stuff themselves are missing out on some great food if all they want is quantity. I think the few bad reviews here all seem to be from people who are just ordering what they like to eat and were disappointed when they get authentic japanese sushi and it does not live up to their americanized-ideal of what sushi is. I've always found that when trying a new place you should try the house specialties, what is in season and especially what the sushi chef recommends. You can always try some of your favorites but why not try something new. I can't imagine someone not enjoying the food that I had last night unless you just don't like sushi. Great place, great food and great service! read more

Asanebo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Studio City, California

After living in San Francisco and the Bay Area (not Torrance and all those cities along the 110 South that Angelenos collectively now refer to as the "South Bay") for so long, I must admit, it's weird being back in LaLaLand. But, there are three things about L.A. that I have gotten used to oh-so-easy-peasy sneakin' easy (other than my parents who are planted here): 1) Korean food - simply put, it kicks major bootay, nowhere else can compare other than Seoul, 2) Korean spas, my bathtub away from my bathtub, and 3) SUSHI in the form of the most beautiful, decadently fresh morsels of pink, orange, and translucent splendor. With that preface, let me share that Asanebo was a remarkable experience. Chef Shige Fujimoto is a first-rate pro and it is my pleasure to sing his praises. Service was delightful and they don't get all fawning spazzy with celebs in the house. We decided on the third tier omakase which comprises of 12 dishes and is $200 per person. 1) Homemade agedashi tofu with soy dipping sauce - Stop the traffic! I came here to be spoiled by fresh fish, but the buttery smoothness of this tofu had me staring in confusion at my empty dish. How can tofu be THIS effing good??? Glass is jealous of how smooth this tofu was. 2) Kumamoto oyster trio - One unadorned, one embellished with roe, and one with uni and caviar. Very fresh and superb quality. 3) Basil spinach and shiitake mushroom salad - Crowned with Alaskan king crab and deep fried potato shavings, my daily ration of mushrooms was fulfilled nicely. 4) Deep fried shrimp and white fish with a salsa garnish - Fun, delectable presentation, it arrived in a sparkling martini glass. The salsa comprised of orange, onion, and ponzu. Absolutely delicious. 5) Soba with kelp and uni - This was all right, but nothing mindblowing. I thought it was a wee bit sour-tasting, but it worked well as a palate cleanser. 6) Encrusted bonito sashimi and baby squid with miso sauce - With its noodle-like texture, the squid did a disappearing act into my mouth. 7) Lettuce cup with Chilean sea bass - Sublime flavor, breaking apart with the mere brush of my chopsticks, I wanted more-more-more of these. 8) Seared toro with sweet soy glaze - At first, I nearly uttered a protest, "Shige-san, dude, don't go and torch my toro." Thankfully, I kept mum. Just imagine hitting the "mute" button at just the right moment. That was my face. Folks, omakase doesn't (roughly) translate to, "trust the chef" for nothing. My toro just disintegrated into nothingness as it met my tongue. Beautiful vanishing trick that should seriously consider going on tour. 9) Lobster sashimi with black truffle - Just remembering this dish is making my mouth water. One of the most luxuriest-tasting items I've ever had and definitely this summer's blockbuster yet a quality film, too (think "The Dark Knight"). I cannot wait to go back for this one! 10) Assorted sashimi and sushi - The kanpachi, big-eyed tuna, hamachi, mackerel, and salmon belly were excellent. All top-notch and akin to fresh-off-the-hook, I was beaming and giddy. 11) Warm chocolate fudge cake - It's cake. It's warm. I'm a cake fiend. Cliffhanger... 12) Banana strawberry crepe - It's strawberries. It's a crepe. See #11. Despite my yawningly long review, I wasn't belly up. I was just right. I even had room for wine and more cake. I think there's a special section of my stomach that stocks up on cake, though, so you normal mortals may have a different experience and just wanna hit the hay. read more

Disclaimer: The following review is based on service only. So I've held off writing this scathing review as long as I could because I needed time to stabilize my blood pressure before it was even possible for me to describe the horrible experience that no one should ever endure, especially at the price of $150 per person minimum type of establishment that is frequented by A listers like George and Amal. Long story short, about three or four dishes into our phenomenal omakase meal, our dinner was abruptly interrupted by a very confrontational server by the name of Maturo. He pretty much publicly humiliated and shamed us in front of other patrons and implied that we were disobeying the no sharing rule as stated on the menu, and that we were taking advantage of the restaurant by sharing our two sets of omakase dinners and causing the restaurant to lose money. As first timers, we were dumbfounded as we were simply not aware that we needed to bring contract negotiating skills to a sushi restaurant by looking for fine prints, and that our waiter also failed to inform us of this rule when we ordered two different sets of omakase meals. Maturo proceeded to outrageously and indiscreetly dash back and forth making a scene and acting as if he was doing us a favor by asking for permission for us to continue to share our omakase dishes. Feeling mortified and our blood boiling, we decided to leave even after the manager apologized profusely and was literally begging to comp the entire meal. No amount of toro, Santa Barbara uni or shaved black truffle could wash away the bitter taste of being insulted. I normally do not harbor ill wishes of sending rude employees to the unemployment line; however, Maturo should really be fired as employees in an establishment such as this should be held at much higher standards. The manager was still attempting to make us stay and extending offer for future comped meals even as we were waiting for valet. It was just too bad that the reputation of a restaurant this caliber is ruined by a poorly trained server. We may still take up on his offer only under the condition that Maturo is no longer employed or at least has been demoted to a dish washer. read more

**** Updated star rate **** - Conqueror's Deduction - This place is super overrated and overpriced. Everything lacked in a punch. I know many dishes are traditional Japanese ones, but it doesn't mean they can be bland. If you prefer authentic sushi, why don't you go to "Sushi Sushi" (Beverly Hills) or Sushi Zo (Palms)? This place is boring at best. Michelin star - BS to me. They don't know what they're talking about. read more

My foodie cousin was visiting from out of state and she agreed to see me in the Valley so we could hang out. The Valley isn't exactly a foodie mecca and it's hella far from where she was staying in Pomona, so, to show my appreciation, we had lunch at Asanebo. Parking can be tough but we lucked out with a metered spot on a nearby side street. I tried to impress her by saying George Clooney comes here, but she didn't care. She scanned the exorbitantly priced menu and decided on Omakase B at $140 per person. We got there at 12:45 and they close at 2:00 for lunch, but they said that was enough time. It was pretty quiet, with just a few other tables. We sat at a table and the service was great with clear explanations of each dish, well timed, frequent refills of our water, and disposable hand wipes after every dish that required us to eat with our hands. The food was outstanding, I think we got about 16 dishes, which felt worth the price tag. Almost half the dishes were stand outs: custard with uni, the lightly seared scallop salad, the oyster, fresh squid, halibut with truffle, cod two ways, and wagyu beef with octopus. There were 3 we didn't care for: conch was overdone, the egg roll was plain, and I can't remember the other one. The remaining half dozen were solid, mostly nigiri and a clam soup. This was my first time here, and, for me, it's definitely a special occasion/once a year spot, but I'd for sure return. read more

Possibly the best sushi on Ventura Blvd. This is not a fancy spot but the quality of their fish and presentation are exceptional! Great service as well! read more

My parents just celebrated their 30th anniversary, and they consulted me in picking a restaurant for their special dinner. When they started talking sushi, I told them to go to Asanebo. I'd only been once, in 2008, but that meal was one of the most memorable I'd had in the last five years. My parents made a reservation and invited me along, and I was only going to decline politely a few times before I decided all right already, I'll go! Service was smoother this time around, but otherwise my overall impressions of Asanebo remain the same as four years ago. We ordered good sake and chose the mid-tier omakase option, Course "B." This was still over $100 a person, just for food. The food was as special as I remembered. Dinner kicked off with a small bowl of chawanmushi topped with ikura and a dollop of wasabi. The steamed egg was creamy with a pleasant jiggle, and the fresh roe added its signature bursting texture and tongue-coating salt. The second course was Asanebo's house special salad of spinach, portobello, and Japanese scallop. It was warm and delicious with beautiful seared scallop and a crispy nest of tiny fried noodles on top. The next few courses offered embellished preparations of top grade raw seafood, starting with a duo of Kumamoto oysters served on a bowl of crushed ice. One came with ponzu jelly, grated daikon, and scallions, the other with finger lime and yuzu. Both were phenomenal, slippery little bites. The ponzu oyster was more typically Japanese in its flavor profile, with a nice tart edge. I might have preferred the citrus accompaniments - I love yuzu, and how often do you see the pearly pulp of a finger lime? Halibut sashimi with black truffle came next, with tiny bits of chive and a roasted baby tomato. This wasn't as awe-inducing as the lobster sashimi of 2008, but it was still superb, the thin sashimi fresh and delicate. A splendid toro tartare followed, a beautiful puck of tartare topped with caviar and avocado, with a sweet miso sauce on the side. This was a picture of luxury, but nothing was wasted or obscured. The chopped toro melted, and the black caviar poured out its rich, saline flavor. The thick miso sauce, which was in itself an accomplishment, played perfectly with the fatty tuna and avocado. We moved on to some cooked courses, and while Asanebo shines most with sushi, these were, for the most part, good enough to stand alone. I was happy to see the fried shrimp and shiso cigar I'd enjoyed on my first visit. It was fun and delicious, with the crispy outside yielding to the snappy shrimp inside. The cigar came in a glass with a housemade sweet onion salsa, and this had a nice kick. When the cigar was done, I finished the salsa like a cocktail. Two preparations of Alaskan king crab came next. The first was just a whole leg, cooked with a charcoal smokiness and cut open for easy access. Served plain with a slice of lemon, it was simple and extraordinary. The meat was plentiful and perfectly cooked. The second crab dish was my least favorite of the meal. The crab came sautéed with asparagus, shiitake mushroom, and a garlic sauce, and it was all a bit heavy and without brightness. Not bad, but it was the only dish I didn't finish. When we were done with the crab, we got teapots of dobin mushi. This was a soothing broth deeply flavored with mushrooms and clams and a permeating dose of yuzu. It was warming and elegant, and a sign that the meal was winding down. We ended with good old sushi - a plate of nigiri and a hand roll. The nigiri were excellent. Bluefin tuna was silky and fresh, the toro buttery, unchewable. I loved the firm crunch of the aoyagi, belted with seaweed, and finally, the nori-less uni, soft and creamy and unimpeachable. The himokyu handroll, featuring the tougher fringe of the aoyagi, was marvelous, its crunch mirrored in fresh cucumber and the crispy top quality seaweed. This marked the end of the omakase, and we added tamago and ice cream to round out the meal. The tamago was fat and fluffy, sweet and a little savory, some of the best around. I don't think Asanebo is a dessert-centric restaurant, but you could do worse than the ice cream. The texture isn't perfect - a little icy without much creamy heft - but the stuff is housemade in good flavors, and light on the sugar. We had small scoops of chestnut, black sesame, and mascarpone, and all were quite nice. While we were eating, I noticed a familiar face at the table behind us - it belonged to the handsome and unmistakable George Clooney. I leaned over to tell my parents, and my dad asked, with his outside voice, "OH HAVE YOU SEEN THAT MOVIE - THE DESCENDANTS?" He then described his favorite scene while I held a finger to my lips. For a meal at Asanebo, though, my dad can embarrass me any time. My parents were so impressed with dinner that they said they want to come back for Course "C." I guess I'd accompany them if they twisted my arm again. read more

The one star is not for service, service is super quick and great at this restaurant but the one star is for the food and specially the prices. The portions are super small yet so expensive which it is not understandable. The taste and quality of the food is average so I don't get why does it have to be so expensive! We got two toro hand rolls is seaweed paper and there were so small and bland yet each one costs us $21! So we paid $42 for something so bland and so small. The sashimi was good but super small and not so great to cost $36! So let me tell you this, we walked out of this place still hungry with $200 less than we went in with. I wouldn't recommend this place unless you're ready to pay high price for something average. read more

Wow. It's good. I mean rilly, rilly good (it's in the valley people, work with me here.). Okay, so we couldn't get into Katsuya on a thurs night at 8 b/c we had no rez and are too entitled and self-important to wait it out. So...it went on my yelpiest of iphone apps and searched for another nearby sushi place that was well reviewed: enter Asanebo. I'd never heard of them but the bf was getting craaaaaaanky, so we called and got a table with no problem. The stip-mall location threw me at first, but whatev's... Inside this tiny, cozy restaurant they managed to pull of the best ambiance possible with warm lighting and even a few "private" tables Megan Fox & Brian Austin Green were eating at one of 'em.. random! Okay, so the menu: NOT a lot of rolls which I really appreciate. The only rolls are the basic ones. Everything else is sashimi type preparatiions (i.e., jalapeno hamachi, fried onion albacore sashimi, halibut citrus, etc.). They also have a wide variety of cooked japanese fish & meat (miso cod, kobe steak, etc.) and a nice variety of veg dishes which are mighty inventive such as the truffled edamame and the lotus root with aioli. SO GOOD and sooo fun! The main thing here though and I cannot stress this point enough: this fish is SO fresh, it might be the freshest I've had in years in LA and I truly mean that. It was simply magnificent, just melts on the tongue and the cuts are perfection. In our little group of 4, we ordered all across the board and we unanimously loved our food. I also wanna add that within 30 minutes of our arrival they were slammed busy and yet our service was good and the entire staff was very friendly. You could get a bit dressy if you were coming, as we were, and it's completely appropriate. A great date place and okay for small groups. Oh!! One other thing: there was a lot of japanese people eating here which i always take as a good sign in a japanese restaurant...and no i'm not talking your north american domesticated japanese person...i'm talking the kind from La Isla de Japan. If it's good enough for them..then who am I to argue?! Go, you'll love it. Rilly! read more

I've never felt so compelled to write a review before! Oh how I wanted to love you again Asanebo, just like my first time. I took my boyfriend here for his Birthday 1. Our waitress was rude and unhappy the entire time... what a downer. 2. We opted for the Omakase "leave it up to the chef" to pick -- 15 pieces ($80 per person) and also some items al le carte . They forgot to serve the soup.......... ( the eatery was half occupied) not many people there on a Sunday night. 3. I made reservations over the phone making sure to inform them it was for a birthday and a special birthday dessert was supposed to be presented at the end of the night. That never happened. After a $200 dollar meal, I am left unsatisfied and disappointed. My planned out birthday dinner failed miserably. Will definitely never return to this establishment. Valet only parking = $3.50. read more

My friends from LA constantly bitch and moan about how bad the sushi is in Chicago. I always used to find this talk pretentious and arrogant and rarely paid any mind. This must be an "LA-thang", I reasoned. Then one of my friends suggested Asanebo when she found out I would be visiting LA. She said that her brother, who rarely shows emotion, actually cracked a smile while eating there. That's good enough for me. I now understand my LA friends. The sushi in Chicago *is* quite awful in comparison to this place and I actually told my cousin who joined me for dinner that any and all subsequent visits to any other sushi place in Chicago could and would not warrant a four star rating or higher from me ever. Asanebo has officially and completely destroyed the way I view and appreciate the sushi experience. Thank you very much. For all nonbelievers in the space, you owe it to yourself to try it for yourself. Do whatever it takes to get to LA, make reservations and get your Michelin Star dining adventure checked off your list. Recommended is the omakase tour where the chefs serve to their pleasing and you basically eat what's placed in front of you. The good news is that every dish is a home run and will pretty much blow your spicy tuna roll mind. read more

No question about it - it was good, but Ohshima in Orange County kicks its butt. We spent about $300 per person and while I don't regret it, we could of spent the same amount at Ohshima and had superior sushi. For those of you that are willing to make the drive and survive the chaotic reservation process at Ohshima I challenge you to tell me it is not superior. read more

Someone once said, "Eating sushi has become the new Russian roulette." He wasn't far off. Only sushi sears our memories with sublime dishes curated by none other than a good hand, and the ocean itself. It dances on our tongues, fills our hearts, and carries us into a realm of everything marvelous under the sea. The four of us settled into a corner table on a Friday evening. It was fairly empty on arrival and packed by the time we left. Our server was out of the ordinary for a hole-in-wall/no frills/unassuming strip mall/Michelin starred resto -- he was funny, sarcastic and completely helpful. We loved him!! If more than one party at a table of say, four, chose omakase, then the entire table had to do it. They will accommodate if only 1 person in a party went for it. We decided on B of A, B, C because at $25 more ($150), it offered sushi and dessert. Forgive me for not remembering (or taking pics) of every dish of the night. It was whirlwind of tastes and by far one of the most unique I've ever had. : uni and marinated watermelon in a martini glass. A huge kick to the tastebuds starting us off. Its dressing was the amazor, but the uni was unworldly. : spinach with portobello mushroom and seared scallops. The scallops were dollops of meaty butter! The mushrooms gave a soy-like kick. It was refreshing. : halibut with truffles. Black truffles. Hefty slices of them. : throughout, paper thin slices of sashimi folded over in or tipped with sauces perfected with masterful pedigree. Bonito, spanish mackerel, salmon, big eye tuna, snapper. Each bite touched with spice, sweet, or tang. The work put into defining each piece was evident, but the fish themselves never lost their pristine quality. : dashi broth, of goma tomfu (homemade tofu), eggplant, and shredded nori. Imagine a rainy cold night, a hotter than coal soup, and flavors rememberance of miso and umami. yeah. : the broth was accompanied by sweet shrimp. The head fried to a crisp. Each bite of both delicious in every way. : grilled alaskan king crab leg. Fall off the shell white meat, bursting with sweetness. The little pick was barely used to nudge the crab. : tri-duo of bluefin tuna, toro, and halibut sushi. Each one perfect, the rice warm, and the toro my fave - a butter equivalent to fish. : I chose chocolate ice cream with black truffles. I've only had ice cream with truffles once before - years later, this did not disappoint. The homemade dessert was creamy and heavily spotted with finely chopped truffles. From afar, you would've thought it was choc chip. :) I also tried the creme brulee. Divine. Creamy, but not teeth-hurting sweet. Flambeed just right and small enough for one person not to share. ;) Green tea was oft refilled. Sake and soju was plentiful. Everyone was sweet, and as noted above, our server was awesome. HIGHLY recommended! read more

3.5 stars. I had mixed feelings about this one. 3 stars for their omakase and 4 stars for their a la carte. I ordered the omakase while the hubby ordered off the menu so we got to experience both. They used to have a Michelin star way back but I can see why it got stripped away in current times. The omakase can be pretty pricey here at $150 per person while the a la carte is a way better deal. It's wierd. THe omakase mostly consisted of soups, salads, appetizers, and hot dishes and didn't incoporate any Nigiri! It was one of the worst omakase's I've had to date and you don't feel full at all whereas I felt stuffed after eating omakase at Sushi Zo. However, their a la carte menu consisted of fresh fish that was flown directly from Japan at VERY reasonable prices. The sushi was very fresh and they had unique fishes as well that you would usually find only in omakases. Hence, the mixed feelings about this place. TIP: SKIP THE OMAKASE. TRUST~~ GO STRAIGHT FOR THE MENU read more

You guys have got to be kidding me. I don't care what the reviews say. This place is the biggest rip off ever. I mean seriously. This place is a joke. Welcome to the sushi place that gives you two bites of food for 150 bucks. I left with a hole in my stomach and a mouth full of smelly fishy fish. The taste lingered for hours thereafter. Only mouth wash could save me. Sure, a few of my bites were pleasurable but I have eaten better sushi at the crap hole by my house for 10.50. Anyone who puts this on their list of best sushi places has taken one too many hits off the crack pipe. It is just MIND BLOWING how expensive this place is for the morsels they give you. Really ridiculous. read more

We visited Asanebo a few months ago and the experience and food was so mildly above average that I didnt even think about writing a review. But once it popped on top of the Zagat survey I had to speak out. Also since we just came back from a 2 week Japan trip to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and visited a lot of sushi places, it makes it even easier to put things in perspective. First and foremost, the staff are just waaaay "too cool for the room". Their attitude is bordering on patronizing. If one didn't know any better, entering the place would give one the feel that they are the only sushi place in the world. At the bar, we ordered different pieces and the first two were not even average in taste. The fish was fresh but the sushi completely lacked creativity and more importantly taste. That forced me to back off and order safer items which wasn't to chef's liking. Towards the end, i was eating cooked items and asked them for some rice. Although we did order enough ($270 per person) to be able to write this review. Here is the conclusion: Compared to $270 places in Tokyo, I'll mention one - Sushi Tomoki, Asanebo doesn't even come close. Nowhere near. The two chefs helping us at Asanebo just lacked any sort of creativity with their ingredients. Furthermore, on the personal side, they lacked personality. Except for Manaturo, a waiter, the entire staff was bordering on the bland side. Now lets compare Asanebo to a Los Angeles semi-high-end place such as Sasaboune. At $110 a person for omakase , and with Chef Ai, Sasaboune (to which I have been three times) the preparation / taste and chef's attention to client's reactions Sasaboune is more detail oriented. Lets go even lower tier and compare Asabeno to Sushi Oomasa. This place averages out $70-80 a person. I'll pick two items on Oomasa's item and defy Asanebo to match the taste. Halibut fin and ma-dai.. No way. Another comparison would be sushi Gen in Little Tokyo. Once again, Asanebo can easily be beaten in more than a few dishes and at a lower price. Asanebo is a quality driven place. The fish is fresh and it is on rice. But that's it. Is it the best sushi place in Los Angeles? I doubt it. Is it a good value? A definite no. read more

This is a review for the 15 PCs Omakase. I've been to a quite a few Omakase sushi restaurants around LA. So I can seriously say for the money, the sushi for the omakase is NOT worth it. Keep in mind I always sit at the bar when I order Omakase, because it's about the experience of tasting the fresh fish that's layer onto the rice. What's more, the chief suppose to give it to you one at a time so as to give you the time to savor each individual piece. However that's not the case with Asanebo. The chief makes 5 PCs at a time, and while I'm trying to take my time to eat it slowly and savor the taste, he is already in the process of making the next 5 PCs!! Seriously wtf? Now I'm in a rush to eat because I don't want those 5 PCs to sit in the cold. There's no enjoyment, I feel like I'm trying to beat the clock. That's not omakase at all. It defeats the purpose. If I want the chief to bring me multiple pieces at once than I'll go to any other restaurants for that and pay half the price. Now I'll admit the fish were fresh, BUT and that's a big BUT, there's no flavor when combine with the rice, soy sauce, wasbi, and other stuff that's mix with the fish. Every bite of the fish is fresh, but that's just not enough for a restaurant with 4 dollar signs. It's the combination of toppings that's suppose to bring the flavor to the next level. Sadly it's not there. Remember any restaurant can offer fresh fish, but to really take it to the next level, that's a different story. For 80 dollars, I rather go to Sushi Sushi or Shunji during lunch time. PS. I finish Omakase in less than 35min. That's how rush it is for a 15 course meal. read more

Asanebo - Why would you serve me 5 pcs at a time for Omakase, even while I sat at the bar?? What did I do to deserve this? - Sushi Bars Near Me - Studio City, California

A great balance of sushi and cooked food that they serve here (5/19/2017). I'd say they are the upgraded version of kanpai. If you want the best sushi, this may not be the place, but the sushi they serve is certainly satisfactory. Their cooked dishes show the skills. I only wish they could pay a bit more attention to the quality of neta (fish/shell). When it comes to shells, Kiriko def serves fresh quality consistently at a lot more reasonable rate. Their service is pretty impressive especially when the place is super packed throughout once it opens. Overall, I had a great time here and would love to come back in the future. read more

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Wow. That' some really pricey sashimi. I ordered three small plates (kanpachi with serrano peppers, blue fin tuna, orange clam) and total with tea (I had to ask for refills -- not that great of service), tax, and tip was $107. Michelin rated is why I have always wanted to eat here ordering whatever the chef recommended while not even asking about the cost -- I just wanted the best. Decor is your typical Japanese restaurant included their framed prestigious Michelin-star awards. The service was great and attentive, until a large table sat behind us in the bar that required much more attention from the staff. Service slipped as soon as that party arrived. I can tell that in the beginning there was the effort to make you feel special with their service. Sushi chef was very attentive and ready to take my order at all times at the bar. The quality is excellent, but for $107, and being hungry still, I would return here every once in a while. It's not my daily or weekly type of restaurant unless I have Megan Fox money (who eats here). I had In-in-Out after dinner because I got really hungry two hours later. I can now say that I have tried Michelin-rated sushi at Asenebo. Check mark off my list of places to eat in LA. read more

Loved it, the fish was fresh and the whole menus tasted great but it was very expensive. I thought that I was getting an iPhone when I got the check there lol. read more

Beautiful sushi:) and delicious fresh fish. Personal was very nice and excellent service. Good sake. Original Japan's decoration. read more

Asanebo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Studio City, California

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Definitely one of the best sushi spots in the valley area. Everything is extremely fresh and simple which is the way good sushi should be. Little on the pricey spot but that's expected. read more

I love sushi and I love venturing out for new sushi even more. I was told this place was the only sushi place in LA that had a Michelin Star so how can I pass?! The inside is real nice and authentic. Quiet, clean and a bit intimate. They have omakase style or you can just order off the menu. Of course I did the Omakase C. _Chawanmushi with uni. A little broth to start the palette. A bit of a custard texture. On top was I believe mushroom or Abalone. With of course Uni, which was fresh. _Scallop with shaved truffle. What more can I say? The scallops were cooked perfectly. Atop of shaved brussel sprouts and shaved truffle. You can taste the oil and aroma of the truffle. _Trio of octopus, red snapper and kanpachi sashimi. Pretty presentation. The red snapper was fresh. The octopus was good but not my fave. The texture was great and not like that rubbery chewy texture you get from most. The kanpachi was my fave. It was different. Had a tab of sauce that tasted similar to Thai chicken satay peanut sauce. _Tomato and crab meat. Comes in a martini glass and almost like a salad/soup. Nice cut tomato chunks mixed with crab meat and basil. Nothing crazy, but refreshing. _Spiny Lobster sashimi with shaved truffles. The presentation was beautiful. Three nice portions of lobster sashimi with ever better portions of shaved truffles on top. A nice and clean taste. The tiny tomato on the side is a perfect treat. _Conch with mushroom and abalone. Presentation was nice with flame on the bottom. Was not a big fan of this dish. Although the broth was nice for a cold night and tasted a bit like miso soup. _Fried Oyster tacos. My fave dish. Something pretty unique. Comes in 2. Small bib lettuce with fried oyster, sliced carrots and slaw with an amazing tarter sauce and teriyaki sauce. Not heavy at all. It did not even taste like oysters and the lettuce helped cut out the richness and overall a perfect bite. _Lobster meat with uni. Sounds amazing but taste was just okay for me. A bit hard to eat and could not taste much of the uni. _Cod or Chilean Sea Bass with wilted spinach and fresh seaweed was a light and nice balance. I've never had seaweed like that before. It was a bit gooey like in texture but worked well with the fish. _Sushi sampler of Toro, Kanpachi, Uni, Fresh water eel, and Golden eye snapper. The Uni was real fresh and my fave of the 5. Toro was great but like the other sushi I wish the fish was as big as the rice they gave. Overall great experience and would come back to order off the menu this time and not omakase. read more

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This place has turned me into a sushi snob. Yup. Nothing compares to the sushi I've had here and unfortunately--this is the time I'm finally writing reviews. We always get omakase. Every dish is nicely presented and the sushi just melts in your mouth! They also have a nice combination of cooked dishes too. I just told them no onions on anything--and nothing fishy. What they've come up with each time has been fantastic. Pricey? You bet. Worth it? I think so. Service is superb, with each dish coming as soon as I was done with the last. Comparing this to BlueFin in Newport Beach, the service is better--the dishes more creative, the quality top notch. The place is nothing to look at from the outside. Valet can get backed up. It's a small restaurant, but I always go when they first open so no problem. I've eaten at A LOT of sushi places and Asanebo stays in my dreams. read more

There's a good number sushi restaurants along Venture Blvd, but the one we ate at was Asanebo since we heard it was good. We were seated at the table by next to the sushi bar. We ordered a la carte: 01. HOUSE SPECIAL BABY SPINACH SALAD ($12) - 4 stars Light and refreshing salad. Scallops were seared perfectly, the bits of mushrooms added a nice salty bite and the crispy pieces of fried noodle was a nice touch. 02. GOMA TOFU (HOMEMADE SEASAME TOFU) ($3) - 4 stars Served in a bowl with dashi sauce and topped 3 pieces of uni and pea size of wasabi. The tofu was nutty and silky. Uni was fresh and creamy. 03. DEEP FRIED MUSHROOM - 3.5 stars Mushroom battered in tempura and stuffed with yellow tail then deep fried. It's paired with pink salt and wedges of lemon. It was good, but lower on the goodness scale compared to the other dishes. 04. HALIBUT SASHIMI ($24 - 6 pieces) - 4.5 stars Thin slices of halibut were fanned on a plate sitting in yuzu and topped with slices of black truffle and a sprig of baby chive. On the side are mico greens and a baby tomato. The flavor combo was divine. First I tasted the yuzu, truffle and lastly fish. Each flavor on the dish shined through. 05. BONITO SUSHI ($8 - 2 pieces) - 5 stars OMG... melt in your mouth goodness! It's a relative of tuna. The pieces were seared and topped with scallion , sesame seeds, miso jelly and sesame miso. 06. KANPACHI SASHIMI ($24 - 6 pieces) - 4.5 stars Again, each flavor on the dish shined through. The pieces of kanpachi was set in a fan shape and topped with a slice of serrano pepper and with sesame miso. Nice, delicate and tasty flavors with a subtle kick. 07. GRILLED CHILEAN SEA BASS ($10 - 2 pieces) - 4.5 stars Sushi size sea bass on top of a single leaf of butter lettuce topped with julian daikon. The sea bass was so soft and buttery with a slight char. Our server told us it was marinated overnight and basted with more sauce while it's being grilled... so tasty. 08. BROWN TEA ICE CREAM ($3.5) - 3 stars A single scoop of house made ice cream with a dallop whipped cream and garnished with mint. The texture is more like an icy sorbet, sweet with a hint of tea. All of the sushi chefs here are calm, collected and precise. Our chef kept an undercover eye on us while we eat to gauge our expressions. The servers are super friendly and attentive without being overbearing and most importantly, they know the food because they get to eat the dishes before it goes on the menu. P.S. If you don't like something just send it back at not charge. They are serious about their food. The sushi menu is different than most restaurants catering to a Japanese clientele. I'll definitely come back here when I'm in the area. read more

So it's so unique and delicious I had to give it 5 stars, but it's a break the bank kind of place... so technically it might be a 4. The kobe beef and eggplant is so savory, hearty yet delicate, tender and amazing. My mouth is watering just remembering it and I have put it on my list of death row meal foods. The portions are tiny and expensive, but each morsel is a mouth-watering delight. So be prepared to come here on a special occasion, spend a small fortune, delight the tastebuds and then head to taco bell to fill up. I had peach and kobe beef, tuna sashimi (amazing), some white fish on a butter lettuce cup that was lightly warmed. We had a tuna roll and veggie roll, both good but nothing to write home about. Stick to the main menu and the waiter recommendations. Service was very attentive and quick. The ambiance was bright and airy, with a very clean and zen/sparse feeling. I'd say go! read more

I may be short-changing them a bit... but I was a little disappointed. I knew it was expensive going in but, if I remember correctly, the cheapest cold sake they had was $32 a glass. I'm not crazy about having to spend over $60 for a small sake buzz. (The sake was pretty damn good... better than a $5 milkshake). Ya know, if you are looking for the wilder dishes (uni with cold custard), the creativity level here is pretty high. But if you are looking for just plain sushi (or, heaven forbid, a roll) there are lots of other places that have good service and fish that is just as good, if not better. If you eat a lot of sushi, try this place... nothing sucked and some of it was excellent... some interesting dishes you won't get anywhere else. A great, reasonably-priced, neighborhood sushi bar... it is not. read more

I feel the need to offer a disclaimer first because I feel so odd saying this place is only two stars based on countless awards. So I will to start out by saying that I love Sushi, and when I heard a Michelin rated Sushi restaurant was 2 blocks from my home I had to head to Asanebo. I eat Sushi sometimes 3 times a week, and I am not talking about the kind of sushi that has a ton of Eel sauce or Spicy Mayo... I like HIGH QUALITY sushi... I have dreams of going to Jiro's restaurant in Tokyo... I do NOT however prefer Uni or Squid or even raw clams, so if you are someone that enjoys those types of sushi maybe this review isn't for you. Despite all the accolades and the very cryptic Jonathan Gold review in the LA Times my wife and I walked away very UNIMPRESSED with the food of Asanebo. I would give it an overall 3 star but with the price being so ridiculously high it loses a star. Asanebo is known for their signature sashimi dishes and at one time they didn't even offer nigiri, but they do now. Naturally since it is my birthday week we went with their Omakase #2 which is $140 per person. I have experienced many Omakase and chef choice's in both LA and New York with Morimoto's in NYC being one of the best experiences ever. However Asanebo over use of homemade sauces on their signature sashimi were so overpowering that you could not enjoy the fish. Halibut Nigiri is my favorite sushi to order and I was so disappointed by the quality of the Halibut. It was extremely tough and chewy, which is far from what I usually have at Sushi 101 or Sugarfish. Also you could put White Truffles on a tuna melt and make is a 5 star meal so this being the best meal on the menu is not a good start. Their Tempura Alaskan King Crab was drowned in a vinegar sauce that it left the tempura batter super soggy. Honestly by the time that dish rolled around I thought I was eating at a fast food sushi joint. After about 3 of the "signature" dishes I was already disappointed that we had ordered the Omakase rather than just go ala carte with Nigiri. As for their Nigiri again I have to question the chef pallet because a lot of the fish felt firm and fishy. In addition all the nigiri was over sauced once again and over powered the flavor of the fish. The Yellowtail was smooth but still fishy, the Toro was good and probably the best of the nigiri because it was lightly brushed with soy. They also served mullet, and some mackerel that I managed to kick off the sauces so I can taste the fish which were both good but not at the highest quality that I would expect from a restaurant that has the reputation of Asanebo. I will say the staff is top notch and extremely sweet and attentive but all and all this place did not live up to the hype. All the fish did not meet my expectations of quality. If I want to shell out a high price for sushi I will definitely be going to SUGARFISH! That as of right now is the best sushi I have had in LA. And when I just want a good sushi dinner at a reasonable price I will continue to hit up Sushi 101 on Moorpark and Tujunga. read more

On a street inundated with super-dragon-shooting-fire-outta-its-arse rolls and over hyped sushi-nazi schlepping flavorless farmed-fish on loose warm rice as "real" sushi, I never expected to find a restaurant on Ventura that serves true, honest sushi, but Asanebo has proved me wrong. Their menu offers a wide variety of appetizers ranging from traditional sashimi, more exotic ceviches, delicately fried fares like ebi-shinjo isobe-age (shrimp paste wrapped in seaweed served with green tea salt), and a variety of daily specials. Their specials reflect the best of the season, and in the fall, they offer matsutake no dobin-mushi (matsutake mushroom broth presented in a teapot), which is absolutely fantastic. It's earthy, fragrant, rich, and it warms you up to the core. It's hard to find that in very many restaurants in the US that serves this. So if you see it on the menu, don't hesitate to order it cause you're in for a real Japanese treat! Their sushi is solid as well--fresh, elegant cuts, the rice is served at the right temperature/consistency/flavor, nice presentation, etc. It's really hard to find a fault with their skills. I see a few people complaining about the prices, but around $100-125 a head, it's right around the same price as any of the top sushi restaurants in LA. If you happen to be in the Burbank/Studio City area, Asanebo is definitely worth checking out. read more

If i can give this place 10 stars i would. Sushi experience here is plain and simple, "EPIC" . I'd come here every day if i have the money to spend. This place is very traditional and wicked good when it comes to sushi. Also the place is superior when it comes with the selection of fish. If you like American style of sushi, e.i. california rolls, and all the baked rolls then this place is not for you. But if you're a real sushi eater, then the restaurant is simply the best place for you. You'll appreciate every simple details and work that they put into every single piece of fish. Also ask for Kazunoko (Herring Roe) handroll, it's really good. and if they have firefly squid, it's simply the best. read more

This is the best sushi in L.A. and I've eaten at virtually every place from the Americanized places like Sushi-Dan to the fancy places like Koi and Matsuhisa. Here's the thing, this place would be better described as a sashimi restaurant. Don't come here if you don't know what you're doing. Don't come here if you're looking for a roll, or looking for rice, or looking to get large portions. Don't come STARVING. DO come here if you're looking for AMAZING tasting sashimi. Using the soy sauce is strictly off-limits here because they bring it to you as it should be eaten. That's not to say unseasoned. Your sashimi will come with citrus sea-salt, or truffles, or some other amazing thing you wouldn't consider. It's truly a taste sensation. My recommendation is to try the top 7 or so dishes off of their regular menu (not the one in vinyl), the paper one. Also, try a couple of their specials of the day. Oh my god, order the spanish mackerel. They take the bone away at the end and deep fry it and bring it back to you. You break it up and eat it like a cracker. Trust me, it's delicious. Be prepared to pay a very stiff bill, but it's worth it. This is expense account sushi (don't mind that it looks like a hole in the wall from the outside). If you really, really love sashimi and aren't going for a value meal, try this place. If you're going for portion size, just stay away, you'll be disappointed and you shouldn't be there anyway. read more

Among my top 5 favorite sushi spots in L.A. Great quality of fish, perfect taste from every piece of sushi or sashimi you try. Of course like most good sushi joints. Dont expect to get a spicy tuna roll. The one thing that is nice about Asanebo is that if you are with people who dont care for sushi or people who want to be less adventurous, they also have a excellent hot or cooked menu. And you dont need to worry about a sushi nazi. Although, I kind of like those types. I dont know...call it the masochisitc side of me...I just love being be-raided as I eat. NO SUSHI FOR YOU! Dont forget to make reservations... read more

I was thoroughly disappointed with the food at Asanebo. For the most part the dishes were average, but there were a handful that were actively bad. The first were the Hama Hama oysters, I don't know if they weren't fresh but they had a faint stink to them. Second the king crab legs were undercooked, resulting in the meat tasting like a wet unidentifiable mass rather than the sweet supple crab meat we were expecting. The restaurant does have a bit of European flair in its dishes, relying heavily on creative sauces. I can see the blending of East and West having some appeal but the quality of the ingredients truly needs to improve. From my experience, I have a very hard time understanding how a place like this earned a Michelin star. read more

Short version: AMAZING all around! JUST GO. Long version: I arrived, party of 2, at about 8PM on a Saturday. The parking lot (valet) was super busy and shared by 3 restaurants. Asanebo itself is fairly small, with a couple of tables for 2-4, maybe 6 at most. It was busy, but we lucked out with bar seating (no wait). It felt like being in Japan again. All the employees were helpful and so so nice. There was a hand towel for each of us to clean our hands before our meal; this is how I first judge a Japanese restaurant by its authenticity. We each got a hot green tea, which really warmed us up on a cold day. We decided to go with ordering off the regular menu instead of omakase so that we could choose whatever we wanted and were so happy we did. We ordered the uni chawanmushi (1 per person), beef tataki (2oz), wagyu truffle, halibut truffle, tuna/toro sashimi combination, and Hokkaido crab (1/2). We started with the uni chawanmushi (cold), which is uni egg custard that needs to be mixed with a spoon before eating. AMAZING! So flavorful and soft, THE BEST start to our meal. The beef tataki was also life-changing. I only expected to "have a bite" and let my friend finish it off because I've never had a good experience eating tataki. WOW, I changed my mind after my first bite and definitely ate more than 1 slice. It was seared to perfection, and the beef was aged and very tender. The wagyu truffle melted in our mouths We could see and taste the truffle pieces melt and the wagyu meat was tender, like the tataki. The halibut was rich and melted in our mouths as well. My dining partner preferred the wagyu truffle while I preferred the halibut; he likes meat and I like seafood. The tuna sashimi combo was a great way to have some tuna, toro, and premium toro (2 pieces each), so we each tried a piece of each type (perfect choice for sushi). I recommend starting with tuna first, then ending with the premium! We could taste the difference in each type and all were quality sushi. The crab was an awesome experience, and we were excited to get the chance to try it since we didn't have enough time to get some when we visited Hokkaido in Japan. The crab is something I would skip the next time I dine at Asanebo, but I must say the presentation and experience is worth a try. We cannot really say for sure which part we enjoyed the most, but if you have to choose, definitely try the uni chawanmushi and wagyu truffle. Even after sharing all the plates, except the uni, we felt warm, full, and satisfied - the best combination! Service was top notch. Every single employee was friendly, helpful, and the hospitality genuinely felt like we were in Japan again (my favorite place ever). We didn't feel out of place at all. The restrooms even have a Japanese toilet (bidet), with seat warmers - funny, but it was like the cherry on top for me. I can't wait to come back. read more

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When my friend recommended this restaurant, I said "what?" because the name sounded so odd. "Asanebo" means to oversleep and getting up late. I walked in on Thursday evening with no reservation but didn't have to wait for a seating, maybe because MBL was on that evening (and the Dodgers were playing). I sat at a sushi bar, right in front of Chef Taketoshi-san. He has been mentioned on Yelp along with his pictures. He's a very friendly, well skilled sushi chef who was trained in Japan. His dad and brothers are also sushi chefs; so his master skill is in the DNA! He offered to prepare some Omakase dishes for me. Usually this is a scary scenario, because you just don't know what they'd serve you or how much the tab is going to be! But it was a good decision. I got to enjoy variety of dishes that Taketoshi-san recommended. He started it off by Katsuo no tataki, then Kinmedai nibitashi with nanohana, Kanpachi sashimi with miso and pepper, Hirame with black truffles, and Kanpachi with momotaro tomato. I also had a glass of "Suigei", dry & chilled sake, along this meal. It really complemented my entire dinner there. The only downside to this place is that the parking is valet only. I was able to park a block away so it wasn't too big of an issue for me. But just FYI. My verdict: I absolutely recommend this place. Try to sit in front of Taketoshi-san. Two enthusiastic thumbs up for this place :-) read more

I brought my girlfriend here to celebrate her making it through her 2nd year of medical school and I have one word for the experience, AMAZING!! I say experience because that's exactly what eating at Asanebo is. My cousin's wife had recommended this place to us a few months back but noted that we should save it for a special occasion because it was pretty pricey. That it was, but worth every penny of the $212 tab (tip included). Here's a list of the things we had. Nameko Miso Soup, 4 stars (a miso soup with tiny japanese mushrooms, since I love mushrooms) Red Snapper Sashimi with Sea Salt and japanese citrus yuzu, 5 stars (this was probably my favorite dish, the citrus yuzu was really tasty) Kanpachi Sashimi with sesame miso and serrano pepper, 5 stars Asanebo Seafood Ceviche, 3.5 stars (my least favorite of what we had, I wouldn't get it again) Halibut Sashimi with black truffle, 5 stars (my first encounter with black truffle and it really complimented the fish well) Yellowtail Sashimi with spicy yuzu sauce, 5 stars King Salmon Sashimi, 4 stars Echigo beer, 5 stars (Since discovering Total Wine I've been trying all kinds of beers and I ran across this beer at a little Japanese Market in Mar Vista and fell in love with it. I was pleasantly surprised to see they had it here and proceeded to order 2) The service is amazing. The waiters would not let my beer glass get too empty before they stepped in to refill it for me. For those of us who don't have the money to eat like this every week, Asanebo is definitely worth the money for an annual visit. I can't wait for my girl to get through 3rd year to come back here to celebrate. read more

I thoroughly read many reviews before I venture into any restaurant that's going to cost me more than a benjamin. So, you can be sure that I definitely did my research on Asanebo. Too bad, this time, my research failed me a bit. Sigh... Like the others said, you have your choice of 3 different levels of omakase ("chef's special", aka eat whatever the hell I tell you to eat). We ordered the mid level one ($100-$125). The dishes were all above average, definitely. It's really no use telling you what we got if it's prone to change, but all of the dishes were good, half the dishes were great, and 1 or 2 were excellent (halibut and yellowtail). The presentation was definitely great. So, who is to say whether or not the meal is worth $150? I mean, some people eat gold so their shit sparkles and wipe their ass with hundred dollar bills. This is one of those times when I can't give a definite yes or no. The service was good. Fast and courteous, if not that warm. I think, this is a place where I wouldn't mind going back to if a friend wanted to, but I'd rather spend my money going to check out other sushi places to which I've not yet been. read more

My family and I come here maybe once every 2 years for special occasions. We had the chef's "Omakase" course. "Omakase" literally meaning "to be taken care of" in japanese. and oh boy, DID HE EVER!!! we had a ten course meal, including a delicious and sumptuous dessert platter. let me just say, I've never wanted to cry while i ate something, besides my mother's cooking that is, until I ate at Asanebo. the food was so good, i wanted to go into the kitchen and punch the chef. to eat here is a revelation. read more

A great place. Very small, like Tokyo. Very good sushi. Made very well. Very expensive. A great place if you want really good sushi in Studio City, or if you are on an expense account! read more